Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced a major shift in government spending, redirecting 157 billion baht originally earmarked for the 10,000-baht digital handout scheme in fiscal 2025 toward water management, transport infrastructure, and tourism development.
In her weekly “Empowering Thais” programme broadcast on Sunday morning, Ms. Paetongtarn said the decision followed concerns raised by the Bank of Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Council, and the opposition.
The warnings focused on economic risks, including potential retaliatory tariffs from the United States.
The prime minister said the revised budget will support critical water projects such as flood and drought prevention, access to clean drinking water, and improved water systems for agriculture and industry.
“Water is a big issue for everyone in the country… Solutions will be costly,” she said.
Funds will also be allocated to improve road networks to enhance public transportation and logistics, particularly for perishable agricultural products.
In the tourism sector, the money will be spent on upgrading facilities for cleanliness and convenience, as well as expanding CCTV systems to strengthen tourist safety.
Ms. Paetongtarn noted that the new plan is aimed at stimulating the economy more quickly amid shifting global and domestic conditions.
To date, approximately 185 billion baht has already been spent on the first two phases of the digital handout programme, benefiting low-income elderly citizens, people with disabilities, and welfare card holders.
The original plan was to extend the scheme to all Thai citizens aged 16 and above who met specific financial criteria.
However, Ms. Paetongtarn confirmed that the handout programme has not been scrapped but merely postponed, pending a more favourable economic outlook.
